Author Archives: Bob Ruggiero

About Bob Ruggiero

I am a passionate fan of classic rock (and related music) with nearly 30 years experience writing about it for daily/weekly newspapers and magazines. I am also the author of "Slippin' Out of Darkness: The Story of WAR." Available on Amazon!

CCR’s Doug Clifford Keeps On Chooglin’ with Solo Record

Posted on February 20, 2021 by Bob Ruggiero

It’s common record company hype to claim that an album has been “years in the making” upon its release. But in the case of Doug “Cosmo” Clifford’s new record, it’s more like decades. Three and a half, to be exact. … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Kathy Valentine Keeps Go-Go-ing with Music, Book, Doc, & More!

Posted on February 1, 2021 by Bob Ruggiero

For Kathy Valentine, it was a Christmas gift that not only kept on giving, but in many ways came to define her life and music. On the festive yuletide evening of December 25, 1980. The singer/guitarist was catching a show … Continue reading →

Posted in Go-Go's | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Meet the Woman Who Shot the Mad Dogs (and Englishmen)

Posted on December 23, 2020 by Bob Ruggiero

There once was a glorious age of Music Journalism Past, an era when the magical could happen. A time when interviews with rock stars weren’t 15-minute phoners with a publicist listening in, or concert pictures limited to first-three-songs-only-no-flash. For back … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

Wishbone Ash Paints a New Coat of Arms

Posted on December 9, 2020 by Bob Ruggiero

Though not as well known among classic rock aficionados in the U.S. as their home base in England or even Europe, for more than 50 years prog rockers Wishbone Ash have carved out their own place in rock history and … Continue reading →

Posted in Wishbone Ash | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Doug Gray of Marshall Tucker Band Still Has the Fire in His Belly (and on the Mountain)

Posted on November 28, 2020 by Bob Ruggiero

For many people, remembering where they were and what they were doing on any given New Year’s Eve is an effort hampered by time, memory, or alcohol. But Doug Gray recalls exactly where he was more than four decades ago … Continue reading →

Posted in Marshall Tucker Band | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Joe Grushecky: Rock’s Iron Man

Posted on November 17, 2020 by Bob Ruggiero

It hard to fathom in a time when the push of a button can send the music of an album to the entire country at the same time. But from the ‘60s through the early ‘80s, local rock scenes thrived … Continue reading →

Posted in Joe Grushecky | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Who is He? The Silent, Stoic Bassist’s Story is Finally Told

Posted on November 8, 2020 by Bob Ruggiero

The Ox: The Authorized Biography of John Entwistle by Paul Rees 384 pp., $30, Hatchette Books Every member of the Who has been the subject of a number of biographies and autobiographies save one: bassist John Entwistle. Known as “The … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, John Entwistle, Who | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Ted Templeman’s Tales: Doobies, Van Halen, and…Frank Sinatra??

Posted on October 25, 2020 by Bob Ruggiero

Ted Templeman: A Platinum Producer’s Life in Music by Ted Templeman as told to Greg Renoff 450 pp., $19.95, ECW As an introduction to the often misunderstood art of record production, young Ted Templeman could not have found a better … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Doobie Brothers, Van Halen | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Dennis DeYoung Goes Back to Where It All Began

Posted on September 5, 2020 by Bob Ruggiero

Like all musicians of varying ages, genres, and stages in their career during the Age of Coronavirus, Dennis DeYoung is stuck at home. He’s got a new solo record coming out, but has had to put a planned tour on … Continue reading →

Posted in Styx, Uncategorized | Tagged | 1 Comment

DVD Review: ZZ Top – That Little Ol’ Band from Texas

Posted on July 18, 2020 by Bob Ruggiero

ZZ Top: That Little Ol’ Band From Texas 125 mins./DVD + Blu-Ray, $29.98, Eagle Rock Entertainment Last year, the three members of ZZ Top  – singer/guitarist Billy Gibbons, singer/bassist Dusty Hill, and drummer Frank Beard – celebrated 50 years together, … Continue reading →

Posted in Rock Docs, ZZ Top | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment